Marchers come out in full force for Mkhwanazi

Unprecedented marches in Durban and Soweto Rampant crime tops grievance list 'South Africa's children can't enjoy their rights because of drugs and zama zamas'

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE and THOBEKA NGEMA

AS THE streets of Durban became a backdrop for impassioned calls for justice, Soweto residents and supporters of Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi took to the streets in support of the KZN police commissioner, with calls for the Gauteng police to act on crime in the area.

Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose deaths have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control.

In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from the Curries Fountain Stadium to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection.

This march followed his recent media briefing, which has lifted the lid on deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS.

In Durban, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who signed and accepted the memorandum, called for society to allow the commission set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa time to do its work.

“Let's continue with our lives, but at the same time, let’s work with the police. Crime fighting will continue, not only in this province, but the rest of the country. We will continue fighting crime, so we are asking you, behave.

“Let's be responsible, let’s wait for the process that has been announced by the president,” Masemola said.

“But let’s cooperate with our police wherever we are in our various policing precincts. Let’s make sure that crime fighting continues, you are kept safe by the police, cooperate with them.”

Masemola said he had spoken to Mkhwanazi, and he was fine.